Research and Innovation

At MINERVA Research Labs, we are committed to delivering innovative products that truly improve the health and beauty of skin. Science and research are at the core of our values and drive every aspect of our business.

Our GOLD COLLAGEN® products are specially formulated and clinically tested to ensure the highest efficacy and performance. We collaborate with renowned universities, dermatologists, aesthetic medicine and skin specialists in the development of our products. We choose only the highest quality ingredients scientifically proven to work.

The beneficial effects of our products are well documented and several of our clinical studies are published in respected peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Our Recent Scientific Publications about Collagen

"An Overview of the Beneficial Effects of Hydrolysed Collagen as a Nutraceutical on Skin Properties: Scientific Background and Clinical Studies" in The Open Nutraceuticals Journal, February 2015, Vol. 8: 29-42.

Understanding the Skin

The Skin Structure

The skin is the body’s largest organ and acts as a protective barrier from the external environment.

It has a complex structure containing multiple layers, structural proteins and other vital components responsible for its healthy appearance and normal functioning.

There are 3 distinct layers in the skin, a visible and outer protective layer called the epidermis, a structural layer called the dermis and the hypodermis, the skins deepest layer.

The Skin Aging Process

Skin aging is a natural process. It is affected by internal factors such as genetics and external factors including sun exposure (UV damage), smoking, alcohol, poor diet, environmental pollution and stress.

Aging skin gradually loses key structural components like collagen, elastin and moisture retaining compounds called hyaluronic acid. The ability to deal with damaging free radicals, produced as a result of the external environment like sun exposure and internal cellular metabolism, also declines. Unless quenched, free radicals can accumulate leading to oxidative stress in the skin.

In this situation, they break down collagen and elastin with the consequent loss of the skin’s support structure. Gradually the skin loses its smoothness, fullness and elasticity. Fine lines and wrinkles start to appear and skin becomes drier, less radiant and may take longer to heal, as there is slower cellular renewal.

To protect the youth and beauty of your skin, a good skincare routine, diet and lifestyle are essential. GOLD COLLAGEN® products from MINERVA Research Labs help to supplement your diet and are designed to rejuvenate your skin and maintain its youthful qualities from within.

The Importance of Collagen

Collagen provides structural support for skin and other connective tissues like joints, ligaments and muscles. Collagen is responsible for the skin’s strength and resilience as well as the smooth, plump appearance of young healthy skin.

Produced by special cells called fibroblasts, collagen production occurs continuously throughout our lives. However, with time collagen levels start to decline - there is a drop in production and an increase in degradation. The collagen structure becomes more fragile and brittle leading to a weakening of the skin’s structural support. The skin loses volume and firmness and starts to thin and wrinkle. The reduction in collagen production also results in the loss of hyaluronic acid further impacting on the hydration and suppleness of the skin.

Aging and the Effect of Collagen in the Skin. Collagen in skin decreases as we age, especially past 40.

How our products work

GOLD COLLAGEN® products from MINERVA Research Labs are a new generation skincare solution. It is a liquid beauty supplement designed to help boost the levels of collagen, elastin and hydration in your skin.

Hydrolyzed Collagen

GOLD COLLAGEN® products are formulated with the highest quality hydrolyzed collagen, made up of small peptides containing short chains of amino acids which are easily absorbed and distributed by the blood stream throughout the whole body and skin. Hydrolyzed collagen helps the body to form new collagen structures. It provides the amino acid building blocks and also stimulates the production of new collagen, elastin and moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid molecules.

Collagen Drinks vs. Topical Creams or Tablets

Many topical products such as creams, lotions and serums that contain collagen are unable to reach the dermis to increase levels of skin collagen. This is because the active ingredients have a large molecular size and cannot penetrate the skin’s surface (epidermis) as it acts as a protective barrier.

Oral intakes of skincare products with collagen peptides are therefore more effective as they do not need to penetrate the epidermis.

These products are ingested and absorbed by the body where the active ingredients can be distributed to the dermis via blood vessels. Unlike traditional skin creams that work on the surface only, GOLD COLLAGEN® products work from within to nourish and rejuvenate for youthful and beautiful skin.

At MINERVA Research Labs, our scientists have formulated GOLD COLLAGEN® as a liquid supplement instead of a tablet or pill format because it is easier to swallow and more readily absorbed and used by the body. The bioavailability of the active ingredients is therefore higher than a tablet or pill.

Skincare that acts from within

GOLD COLLAGEN® products contain a blend of hydrolysed collagen, vitamins and minerals. When the beauty supplement is consumed, it travels to the stomach where protein digestion first takes place. Our hydrolysed collagen is in the form of specific peptides ready for absorption in the small intestine. The collagen peptides travel via the bloodstream to reach the deeper layer of the skin (dermis). In the dermis, our collagen peptides stimulate special cells called fibroblasts. Stimulated fibroblast cells proliferate in numbers and produce elements key for the good support of the skin: new collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. With daily use of GOLD COLLAGEN® products , skin starts to feel more hydrated and firm. Wrinkles will appear reduced and your skin regains its radiance.